Teenage hairdresser lost her leg after doctors dismissed her melon-like tumour 24 times

Natalie Turner thought the throbbing she felt in her legs was because she was on her feet all day - and even after her leg swelled to more than twice its normal size she claims doctors refused to send her for a scan

A hairdresser has become an amputee after a melon-sized tumour destroyed her leg - despite visiting doctors 24 times in agonising pain.

Natalie Turner, 19, was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer in November 2014 - more than a year after she first visited her GP.

Natalie, from Portsmouth, Hampshire, initially thought the throbbing she felt in her legs was because she was on her feet all day - and even after her leg swelled to more than twice its normal size, she claims doctors refused to send her for a scan.

But amazingly, it took more than 24 appointments before she finally had an MRI scan - where medics revealed she was suffering from Ewing's Sarcoma.

By the time she was diagnosed the tumour in her leg had grown so large that she needed a lower leg amputation in a bid to save her life - and the cancerous tumour was the same size as a melon.

The aggressive cancer had already spread to her lungs and groin so she also needed several rounds of chemotherapy.

Now five-months later, Natalie is in remission and sharing her story to raise awareness for the symptoms so other sufferers aren't ignored.

Natalie said: "I first thought the pain in my leg was because I was standing up all day at work but when it lasted for a few weeks I decided to visit my GP.

"I noticed my leg was throbbing in 2013 but it wasn't until November 2014 that I was finally diagnosed as doctors thought my pain and swelling was due to me standing all day as a hairdresser.

"I had been going to the doctors twice every month so it added up to 24 times until I was diagnosed with bone cancer.

"Everyone was in shock when I was told the news, all of a sudden my life and future hung in the balance.

Lucky: Despite losing her leg, Natalie says she is relieved her cancer was treaterd before it spread (Photo: Caters)

Huge: The scan of Natalie's deadly melon-sized tumour (Photo: Caters)

"We all just thought it would be a cyst or something, I never imagined I would have cancer at 18.

"The swelling in my leg kept going up and down, one minute it looked double the size but the next it was back to normal.

"I think that's one of the main reasons I was dismissed for so long.

"My GP kept referring me to the joint, bone and muscle department at our local hospital but I was turned away without having further tests, this became a back and forth cycle until I finally got the MRI scan I needed.

"I started physiotherapy soon after to help with my balance and I'm now walking again thanks to my prosthetic leg.

"I underwent more chemotherapy after the amputation just to ensure no cancerous cells were still in my body, that was also really hard as my long blonde hair all fell out.

Positive: The young hairdresser says she can't wait to marry her long-term boyfriend next year (Photo: Caters)

"But once that was over I started to rebuild my life, I'm now back at work for three days a week.

"My hair is slowly growing back too but I still wear a wig at the moment as I only finished chemo in September."

Natalie's long-term boyfriend, John Daniells, 21, proposed last year and the pair are set to get married in 2017.

She added: "I was over the moon when John popped the question, both him and my mum, Denise, 47, have been my absolute rocks throughout my cancer diagnosis.

"I started planning the big day straight away, it was a great distraction and now we're set to get married at the same church both our parents got married in.

Rock: Denise has been supportive of her daughter throughout her ordeal (Photo: Caters)

"After my amputation I was worried about how quickly I would adapt to having one leg but it has been much easier than I first thought.

"I hope my story raises awareness for bone cancer and if they are struggling with unusual pain or swelling that they should persist with being referred."

To read more about Natalie's story and her fundraising, visit her page here.

A spokesperson for Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust said: "Whilst we cannot comment on an individual's personal circumstances due to patient confidentiality, we can confirm that this case was fully investigated.